The training has provided accredited firefighting qualifications to members of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Aboriginal community. Photo: supplied. The training has provided accredited firefighting qualifications to members of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Aboriginal community. Photo: supplied. ABORIGINAL communities across the NSW North Coast are working with Forestry Corporation of NSW to integrate cultural burning into government bushfire […]

LAKE Cathie and Bonny Hills residents say they have been blindsided by a letter detailing plans for the development of 360 homes off Forest Parkway. The letter, addressed only “To The Resident”, was sent to a small group of neighbouring property-owners. It asked them to complete a 10-minute phone survey to identify potential impacts – […]

IN GOOD news for Lighthouse Beach and Camden Haven commuters, the Ocean Drive Duplication project is entering its final stage of construction. Crews started laying the asphalt atop the newly duplicated road this week with the process expected to take approximately four weeks. Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) Group Manager Chris Favaloro said while this […]

SINCE 1980, Beechwood has held an annual event known as the Beechwood Billycart Classic. The 44th iteration of this much-loved local tradition will be held this Sunday, 26 October. The event centres around a billycart race, where daring racers take on a five kilometre downhill run from Mt Pappinbarra to the Beechwood Hotel. It is […]

GUULABAA – Place of Koala, the world’s first purpose-built wild koala breeding and visitor centre, has been recognised with a major honour at the 2025 Australian Good Design Awards. The forest-based tourism precinct in the Cowarra State Forest took out the Australian Good Design Award Winner accolade in the Built Environment category. Presented by Good […]

FIGURES released by the Australian Electoral Commission this week show a candidate’s donations and marketing spend are no guarantee of success. Financial disclosure return information shows that Cowper Independent Caz Heise spent $2 million on her Federal Election campaign – more than any other candidate in the country. Ms Heise received $2.1 million from 55 […]

HOUSEHOLDS across the Mid North Coast will soon have access to a new tool to help manage grocery costs, through a partnership between Greater Bank and Newcastle-based fintech “Grocerize”. Created by Newcastle dad Blake Bennett, Grocerize compares supermarket prices and highlights savings opportunities for families. Greater Bank told News Of The Area that users of […]

Some of the buildings are leased by the Port Macquarie Art Society. The markets were founded 55 years ago by the late Maureen Cooke. A security vehicle blocks access to Hamilton Green on Sunday, 12 October. Photo: Peter Varley, FB. The road into Hamilton Green was clear on Wednesday. CONFUSION and bewilderment have followed the […]

‘Hope’ the Joey at Port Macquarie’s breeding facility. Photo: supplied. GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan presents an award to Sue Ashton, Koala Conservation Australia Chairperson. Photo: supplied. Mayor Adam Roberts also accepted an award from GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan. Photo: supplied. Tim Cadogan and the Koala Conservation Australia team. Photo: supplied. KOALA Conservation Australia (KCA) has […]

Port Macquarie Marine Rescue members Grant James, Lilly De Belle, Alison Cameron-Brown, Dustin Welbourne, Noel Woodward, Robert Breskal, Chris Wood, Ron Caffyn, Robert Britten and Leonard Smart. Marine Rescue Port Macquarie radio operator Noel Woodward. Bolt cutters were used during the mission. PM 30 crews assist the stricken skipper. A line is established. THE Marine […]